VU4X Team will be active from Andaman Islands, IOTA AS - 001, 10 - 21 March 2025.
Team - ON4AMX/VU3PFV, ON4HIL/VU3PFT, ON5UR/VU3PFE, ON5RA/VU3PFF, ON5TN, ON6CC/VU3PFN, ON7FT/VU3PFH, ON7USB/VU3PFQ, ON7RU/VU3PFJ, ON8AZ/VU3PFP, PA9M/VU3PFO, PA3EWP/VU3PFI.
They will operate on HF Bands.
QSL via M0URX, OQRS.
Andaman Islands
The Andaman Islands are an archipelago that lies in the Indian Ocean between Myanmar and India. The islands have a population of only just over 300,000, of which 500 are indigenous. The islands' largest city is Port Blair. One of the main attractions is nature, the beauty of which can be appreciated even by those who are indifferent to it.
Rum for locals only
The Andaman Islands are famous for their rum, which every tourist should try. However, it is noted that it is prohibited to take it out of the country, as well as other local drinks. Not only alcohol, but also local soft drinks are not allowed. Everything that is forbidden to take out, there is a special marking on it. That is why it is worth paying attention to the labels of drinks when visiting the Andaman Islands. It is recommended to choose local achievements of the alcohol industry because of their uniqueness. There is also local homemade alcohol, which is made by the inhabitants themselves.
A penal colony more than 150 years old
In 1790, an English penal colony for criminals was opened on an island, where dangerous lawbreakers, murderers and thieves were sent. It existed until 1947, which allowed it to become one of the most famous penal institutions in England. Only after 1947 it was decided to close the institution due to the fact that the islands became free of the British. It made no sense for the locals to keep a penitentiary of another country on the territory.
Sherlock's island trail
Fans of Arthur Conan Doyle's books will remember that one of his novels was transferred exactly to the Andaman Islands. “The Sign of Four” described the adventures of the main character who visited there. It is thanks to this that the islands received their own trace in literature. The description of the locals is completely the same as the one that fits them even now. They are a mixture of the negroid race and Indians, who densely populate the island towns. They are of medium height and outwardly adopt more of the features of the Indians, while remaining with a darker complexion.
Houses with vines and banyan trees
The facades of local buildings are densely braided with vines and banyan trees, which is a distinctive local feature and makes even urban landscapes as close to nature as possible. The houses braided with vines have a beautiful appearance and are characterized by their interesting shapes, which change under the influence of plants. It looks very unusual.
Houses with banyan trees also look interesting. This tree has the widest crown area in the world. It can reach several kilometers. This shape and size is provided due to the fact that the tree from the crown descends a liana, which takes root in the ground and thus continues the growth of the tree. So under one plant can be many small buildings, but more often the banyan is taken beyond them, because the dense crown can take on itself most of the sunlight.
The capital's airstrip could accommodate a Boeing 777
It is located in Port Blair, on one of the largest islands in the archipelago. It is there that there is an airport, which is the most important hub of civil and even military aviation. The local authorities have spared no expense in arranging the airport, so that the guests of the islands can be sure of their safety and that they will be able to get here with the help of convenient transportation. The main pride of the airport is the 3290 meter runway, which can accommodate Boeing 777. This Boeing is one of the largest airplanes in existence today. This is another proof that the local authorities have taken care of both their own military security and the needs of tourists.
Most of the local islands are uninhabited
The archipelago comprises 204 islands. With such a large number, it is not surprising that some of them might be uninhabited. In fact, uninhabited islands are the majority there. Only 30 islands have a population, while 174 remain uninhabited. Locals on the inhabited islands continue to live in the jungle with little benefit of civilization. The settlers live in well-furnished towns and make a living, mostly by fishing.
The only active volcano in all of South Asia
One of the islands has the only active volcano in the territory. It is located 135 kilometers northeast of the capital on Barren Island. Its activity makes it difficult for locals to live in the area, so the island on which it is located is uninhabited. Almost a quarter of its area is occupied by a volcano. The nature here is unique and beautiful, just like everywhere else in the Andaman Islands.
Coconut crabs or palm thieves
This species of crab is not only the largest in the world, but also the most beautiful. This species got such a strange name for the fact that it likes to feed on coconut pulp. The weight of the crab reaches 4 kg, and the length of the body - 40 cm. Interesting is also the way it moves. Since the crab feeds on coconut flesh, it needs to get it from coconut trees. To do this, he manages to climb up the coconut palm with the help of his claws. A person who catches it doing this can see its blue abdomen and the same bright color claws.
Unique nature found nowhere else in the world
98% of the plants found on these islands are endemic. This means that these plants are only found in this place and are not found anywhere else in the world. 50% of the butterfly species are also found nowhere else. In fact, the islands have their own ecosystem, which has not been subjected to special changes by man and developed separately from the mainland nature. This opens up unique opportunities for tourists to learn new things.
Coral reefs that were unknown to scientists
Coral reefs are fairly well-studied, but there are some that have been discovered by scientists for the first time. In 2011, more than 110 new species of coral were discovered near the islands, and 197 species of previously known corals were found. This is why diving enthusiasts can get the opportunity to explore coral species that have not been seen anywhere else. Quality diving is also facilitated by the beautiful and clear local waters, which have developed their own ecosystem.
The only place in the world where the largest turtles are found
In some Andaman islands, leatherback turtles lay eggs every year. They are the only large members of the turtle world of their kind. They can reach up to 2.9 meters in length and weigh over 600 kg. This type of turtle is currently threatened with total extinction, and the islands are the only place in the world where these reptiles can still be found. When they go to the beach to breed, access to the beach by tourists and locals is strictly prohibited, which should be taken into account by all travelers. The locals are trying to restore the turtle population in this way.